Wii would like to get better

Deborah Thompson plays Wii tennis. (Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe)

Deborah Thompson, a 62-year-old mother who thrives on heart-pounding challenges like mountain climbing and biking, can't stand video games.

"I hate them," she said. "My son plays them, but I think it's the worst waste of time."

But there she stood recently, cheering and pumping her fist when she scored a point against her computer opponent - the Wii.

Thompson is recovering from a nagging knee injury and is now taking part in the latest video game craze for her rehabilitation.

Under the supervision of physical therapist Wen-Chih Shih at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Burlington, Thompson is one of about 40 patients who are boxing, bowling, playing tennis, golf, and baseball, all in the name of Wii-habilitation. "It doesn't feel like work, and I guess that's the benefit," said Thompson of Lexington. "You can pretend you're Roger Federer."

Shih said she came up with the idea of using it for patients while playing her son's Nintendo Wii. She did some research online and saw she wasn't the only one who saw the game had potential to help patients recover.

Across the nation, senior and rehabilitation centers are using the Wii to help the elderly improve balance and strength and patients heal from injuries. At the Littleton Senior Center, residents have formed a weekly bowling league.

Though the Wii was developed for fun, Nintendo officials said they are thrilled the game is being used in other ways. They attribute the Wii's popularity to the fact that it's not intimidating and can be played with others.

"We developed Wii to be a video game console that everyone could enjoy, regardless of their age, gender, or prior experience," said Denise Kaigler, vice president of corporate affairs for Nintendo of America.

Shih said the games force people to simulate the action they would make if they were playing the sport. Unlike traditional video games during which players sit in front of a screen, Wii players move around to swing the controller like a tennis racket, golf club, or bowling ball.

Shih said many of the games work on arm and shoulder movements, but other parts can be worked. In tennis and bowling, players must take steps similar to lunges, a traditional exercise.

Now, when patients are far enough along in rehabilitation to really work their bodies, Shih turns on the Wii for a tennis match instead of having them lunge back and forth across the room. She said it breaks monotony for patients and therapists.

After a player completes a game or exercise, the Wii reports how she did and how to improve.

Shih said she thought the Wii would be a good motivating tool for teenagers, but it has worked well for all ages - even those, like Thompson, who are opposed to video games. "It's much more fun and you can keep challenging yourself," Thompson said. "To people who are used to exercising, it feels good."

Harvard Vanguard started Wii-habilitation at its Burlington site, but Shih said she'd like to add it at other locations.

New England Rehabilitation Hospital at Billerica also started using the Wii for physical therapy about two months ago.

Joana Ingram, manager of the hospital's outpatient clinic, said about 50 patients have used the game and many have purchased one for their home.

The outpatient clinic, specializing in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sports injuries, works primarily with the Wii Fit because it allows patients who have injured an ankle, for example, to work on regaining balance, Ingram said.

"It's been a wonderful thing for the patients," Ingram said. "It allows them to take their mind off their injury and be a kid by playing a game."

The Wii has also found its way into senior centers across the region, including Lexington, Littleton, Tewksbury, and, soon, Concord and North Andover.

Council on Aging officials said the Wii lets seniors exercise and work on improving strength and balance, in a fun environment.

Donna Delaney, outreach coordinator for North Andover senior center, said seniors are looking forward to the new game. She said the Wii will be available after the center completes its renovation in a few months.

"I understand there are a lot of good balance and coordination exercises for the seniors," Delaney said. "If they can improve their balance, they'll be more safe walking and have less falls and broken bones."

Concord also has a Wii available for seniors later this month.

Lori Kalinoski, program supervisor for Concord Council on Aging, said many seniors are eager to try it because they've seen children or grandchildren play.

Kalinoski said the center offers many exercise programs but the Wii will be another. "It's a way of using new technology that's a nonthreatening way to have fun and get some exercise."

Seniors in Littleton have been using the Wii since spring after a high school group did a project testing seniors' reflexes and reactions to games. Seniors liked it so much, the center got its own.

Roberta Ware, 73, and three friends have formed an informal Wii bowling league. "We're having a lot of fun with it, and it's great exercise," she said.

Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at jflefferts@yahoo.com.